But for Graeme Hick, Worcestershire would have lost this West Midlands derby in three days. Defeat may yet follow today, but notwithstanding the imminence of his 41st birthday, the New Road run-machine is still in very good working order. Even David Graveney, the watching chairman of selectors, was impressed.

Whereas batting for all his teammates, bar Ben Smith, was a struggle on a low, slow pitch under permanent cloud cover on a chilly day, Hick played with the familiar conviction and languid ease that has brought him 132 career hundreds. A 133rd seemed certain until he perished to his first